The Virginia Gazette

The following was presented to the British Ministry by the Russian Ambassador at London.

'Her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, considering that the navigation of the North Seas, and the coasts of Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, requires her immediate protection, and that of those two Crowns, especially as the last year, an American privateer took several vessels bound to Archangel, has determined to order a squadron of ships of the line and some frigates, to cruise in those seas. They shall be commanded to protect our commerce and navigation effectually, and to expel from those parts all cruising vessels of any nation whatever without exception. Her Majesty in making this declaration to the Court of London, expects and insists, that to prevent any disagreement which may arise from its execution, the British Court will expressly forbid any of her ships of war, privateers or letters of marque to cruise in those parts, or to chase any vessel in the North Sea, where the three Crowns have the sole and exclusive navigation. Her Majesty flatters herself, that from this measure, the Court of London will derive advantages to her own trade.'

Very flattering truly to Great Britain! if she can be so duped as to imagine a fleet of the line and frigates intended by Russia to oppose two or three American cruisers. It is equally flattering and friendly as was the representation made to the British Minister by France, of her having made a treaty with the American States, upon the most generous principles and with the most friendly intentions.